page_title: Conservation and restoration of film
section_title: Nitrate deterioration
hierarchical_section_title: Conservation and restoration of film / Nitrate deterioration
caption_attribution_description: English: A cellulose nitrate negative that has reached the later stages of deterioration; there is no image content remaining.
context_page_description: The conservation and restoration of film is the physical care and treatment of film-based materials. These include photographic materials and motion picture.
context_section_description: Cellulose nitrate is chemically unstable; decay is irreversible and autocatalytic. When the film deteriorates, it turns yellow, brittle and sticky. The off-gassing of nitrate produces hazardous and corrosive products (nitrogen oxides form nitric acid) along with an acrid smell that cause fading of the silver image, decomposition of the gelatin binder, and the eventual destruction of the plastic support and image material. These products (nitric acid, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) are destructive to other film-based negatives, and especially to photographic prints. Other artifacts, metals for instance, will be harmed by proximity to deteriorated nitrate material. Such gasses can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritations. Allergic sensitivity has also been noted, as has dizziness and lightheadedness.
caption: A cellulose nitrate negative that has reached the later stages of deterioration; there is no image content remaining.
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